The New England Nomads hosted the Narrabri Eagles and reversed their loss to the Eagles in round one by a massive 109 points. The Nomads were in complete charge of this game from the outset, kicking 7 goals to 2 in the first quarter and taking a 31 point lead into the first break. Eagles Coach, Phil Dennis, had a big job a quarter time to get the shell shocked Eagles back in the air. But Nomads Coach, Brendan Meehan, was telling his men the job was only just starting and that they couldn't waste the opportunity that they had to bury a team. It was Meehan's men who listened to their coach's words best as they piled on 5 goals to 3 goals in the second quarter to increase their lead to 44 points at half time. By the time the third quarter started the game was over. The Nomads were running rampant and the Eagles had been grounded and were powerless against them. The premiership quarter was the Nomads best scoring quarter kicking 8 goals to the Eagles 1 goal and increasing their lead to 87 points at the last break. Dennis asked his men for a better effort in the last quarter knowing it would be this effort that he will focus on for the Eagles next game. They did respond by kicking 4 goals and producing their best scoring quarter, but the Nomads still had every answer as they kicked 7 goals to close out the game. Dennis will be telling his men to put that game in the bin and not talk about it again as this effort was in no way a reflection on the 2011 Narrabri Eagles. The Nomads though will be happy that they are starting to hit their straps at home, but they will need to do it on the road if they want to retain top spot at the end of the year. The Major goal kicker for the Nomads was Dave Richards with 13 goals, highest individual goal tally this year, and their best player was young Tom Walsh. For the Eagles their main goal kickers were Tim Cooper, on return, and Craig Thomas with 3 goals each and their best player was Robert Kemp.
Down at the Cattery the Muswellbrook Cats were hoping to pull the Inverell Saints halo down and win their second game of the year. This was a close game all day with the Saints just getting the ascendency in the first quarter and taking a 10 point lead into quarter time. The second quarter is where the Saints opened up what would be their match winning lead. They kicked 6 goals to the Cats 4 goals and had a handy 18 point lead at the main break. The saints increased their lead to 26 points at the last drinks break thanks to their straight shooting of 6 goals. The Cats actually had more scoring shots in the third quarter though, but could only convert at 50% kicking 4 goals 4 behinds. The last quarter saw the Saints lose their radar as they kicked 3 goals 7 behinds to the Cats 3 goals 2 behinds, but they increased their lead to win by 31 points. It was a tough last quarter with both teams fighting the game out to the end. Cat's Coach, Bryce O'Connor, would be well pleased with the effort his men are showing this year and it is just the winning mentality that they are missing and when they get that back they be even more dangerous. Saint's Coach, Nick Baird, has his team just starting to pull together at the right time of the year and they will be looking to build even further in the run to the finals. The Saints major goal kicker was Captain Chris Whitton with 8 goals and their best player was Jono Elphick on return from suspension. The Cats main goal scorers' were Jackson Bower and James McRae with 4 goals each and their best player was John Mahy.
Out at the Kennel the Gunnedah Bulldogs were expected to win against the Tamworth Swans for the second time this year. But in the first quarter someone forgot to tell the Swans that. The Swans knowing this was their last chance to have a crack at getting into finals contention burnt in the first quarter kicking 6 goals 5 behinds to the Bulldogs 2 goals 3 behinds. With a 20 point lead at quarter time the Swans went flying into hear what Coach Gary Harriott had to say. Unfortunately for them they didn't listen as the Bulldogs came out in the second quarter, after an ear bashing form coach Peter Chapman, and ran all over the Swans. The Bullies kicked 6 goals and restricted the Swans to 1 goal for the second term and went into half time with the game all square at 51 points apiece. In the third quarter the Bulldogs keep their composure kicking 4 goals to the Swans 2 goals and they finally had a lead at the last break by 14 points. The final quarter was a real arm wrestle with both side kicking 3 goals each and the Bulldogs just increasing their lead to 15 points at the end of the game. There is a lot to like about the undermanned Bulldogs this year as they have only had one bad loss and continually fight to stay in the game even if they lose. The Swans however have not lived up to expectations and look more like feather dusters as their chances of playing finals is now gone. The Bulldogs main goal kicker was Chris Gee with 4 goals and their best player was Paul Brown. The Swans main goal kicker was Simon Freer with 5 goals and their best player was Grant Scheffers.
Last Modified on 03/07/2011 10:56